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A Skylake Cube

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Just a note as it occurred to me that I may have miss led some readers about the CPU cooler. I have added this note in several of the previous posts: "EDIT added... Note that I am modding the noctua NH-D9L cooler as it is too wide to fit between the side rails."

The noctua NH-D9L is just too wide to fit between the rails and the CPU socket is positioned such that I had to reduce the width of the cooler fins stack from 94.4mm to about 91mm. I did this modding on a belt sander and then used a tool makers fine file to de-burr each fin.

The reason for doing all of this G4 Cube modding is to see if this CPU cooler on this motherboard would work with an i7-6700 or i7-6700K cpu (and I do not own one of these yet). Again I am running with the i7-6700T cpu which is a 35w TDP.

Good modding,
neil
 
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seeing as there is no room in the cube, its just a pain in the butt to get high powered CPUs or graphics to work in it. you will never have a high end video card in it due to space and the CPU will get very hot if you go for the 85w 6700K model - I wouldn't recommend doing it, as I found out, its just a pain; stick to 65w or less cpus and integrated graphics.
 
Hi Neil,

I just happened to stumble across this post as I'm actually building a mini stx box using the Asus h110s2/csm version (basically the same with an extra ethernet port from what I can gather). Was just wondering if you ended up using a m.2 2280 for the build since you moved to the ASUS motherboard and specifically I'm curious as to whether it would boot of NVMe.

Also something else you may be able to shed light on is whether the m.2 2280 runs at PCIe 2.0 x4 or 3.0 4x.. the terrible docs as you've already mentioned say 2.0 x4 at 20GB/s but those SSD's are way harder to come by these days than the 3.0 x4 variants.. I guess worst case 3.0 chip runs at 2.0 speeds...

Excellent tips on the power supply - I was haven't way more trouble than anyone should trying to work out which bricks would work.

Looks awesome! Would happily digest any other gotcha's you may have :)

cheers.
 
Asus G750JS
Other |  i7 Other |  HD 4600
circa.desu said:
Hi Neil,

I just happened to stumble across this post as I'm actually building a mini stx box using the Asus h110s2/csm version (basically the same with an extra ethernet port from what I can gather). Was just wondering if you ended up using a m.2 2280 for the build since you moved to the ASUS motherboard and specifically I'm curious as to whether it would boot of NVMe.

Also something else you may be able to shed light on is whether the m.2 2280 runs at PCIe 2.0 x4 or 3.0 4x.. the terrible docs as you've already mentioned say 2.0 x4 at 20GB/s but those SSD's are way harder to come by these days than the 3.0 x4 variants.. I guess worst case 3.0 chip runs at 2.0 speeds...

Excellent tips on the power supply - I was haven't way more trouble than anyone should trying to work out which bricks would work.

Looks awesome! Would happily digest any other gotcha's you may have :)

cheers.
Click to expand...

The ASUS docs for this motherboard are just not good. The m.2 specification is an example.

I have no experience with NVMe devices as the Samsung SM951 256GB that I have is AHCI and it is bootable on this motherboard. I have OS X 10.11.6 and macOS 10.12 installed.

SM951.jpg


The performance of the m.2 slot is less then that of a PCIe 3 x4 which on the ASUS Z170I Pro Gaming gave me "reads" in the 1800 to 1900 MB/s. On the H110S1 the reads are 1300 to 1400 MB/s. The writes are both in the 1100 to 1200 MB/s. So while not top speed, it is what it is and it is very fast.

The other gotchas: The front panel header is a fine pitch and not the standard 0.1 inch on center, also not documented pin out which follows the 10 pin convention. I think the connector pin pitch is 2 mm.

And have the IO on two sides of the motherboard is not to my liking and causes extra work in my Cube hack.

The USB Type C connector is nice to have and works with my MB Type C accessories; I have tested Type C to USB 3 and GigBit Ethernet which can be used concurrently.

But on the upside, this is a lot of tech for $80.

Good modding,
neil
 
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it :)

Will be attempting to install NVMe (seems some in another thread have been able to getting going), also using the silverstone STX case so IO is taken care of already - looks like all clear!

Thanks again.
 
Asus G750JS
Other |  i7 Other |  HD 4600
Asus G750JS
Other |  i7 Other |  HD 4600
circa.desu said:
Hi Neil,

Just wanted to add to this - while I have not begun testing yet I have found some information on getting the ALC3236 working - https://github.com/vit9696/AppleALC/issues/62 - seems the http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/files/file/496-applehda-patcher/ can handle it as ALC233. Would PM you but not enough posts and all that. Will report back.
Click to expand...

circa.desu thank you for the tip on the Audio. I will check it out soon.

And a note on the WiFi/BT BCM94352Z. The m.2 WiFi/BT card sits below m.2 Samsung SM 951 and the software install was text book on El Capitan 10.11.6. However on Sierra the WiFi.BT card was not discovered… Not to fear as darkvoid on IM has generated a patch; see post 2 on https://www.tonymacx86.com/threads/broadcom-bcm94352z-cant-find-the-network-z170n-in-sierra.203441/

Also I have decided to install this CableCreation USB 3.1/GigEthernet hub to the top panel using the USB Type C port. This is a $20 USD part from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0179TU9SW/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

I have cabled up the top panel and bottom panel where I have added a small power switch on the top panel and re-use the power/rest switch for the original on the bottom. I have also added a drive access LED to the top panel.

I still intend to play around with the original touch sensor and LED. At the moment I am space constrained by the Type C cable connector and may mod the sensor board. More to follow.

And I now own an i7-6700K and intend at some point to swap it in and run thermals to see if this setup can throw off the increased heat generated (currently running with the i7-6700T, a 35W device).

I am approaching the point where I can see the end of the project… still a lot of detail work to complete.

Good modding,
neil
 
It appears that I spoke too soon. My system stopped powering on... completely dead! I spent time to swap the CPU, Memory and PSU off to another motherboard and those components work. So I have opened an RMA with ASUS and the motherboard is in transit.

I am reviewing what I was doing to see if I did something that would have damaged the MB. The motherboard does not have 5 volts standby power so I was in the process of generating a work around.

I was tempted to put another MB on order as they are now available from several sources. But I decided to hold off on that until I hear status from the RMA action.

I have plenty of un-finished mini-projects to keep me busy; working on the bottom panel to get ready for paint is one. And another is to resolve the shutdown issue on my EX58-UD3R.

Good modding,
neil
 
A small update:

Working on the bottom panel.

The is the starting point:

fab3.jpg


This is the in-process work:

p1.jpg


p4.jpg


And after a little clean up, adding a hole pattern and paint, ready for reassembly:

PB4.jpg


Near final bottom panel:

PB5.jpg


more to follow…



Good modding,

neil
 
Very nice looking bottom panel, super clean! How did you adhere the metal plate in place? Epoxy/Solder? Did you use a drill press for the holes or a hand drill?

Also, if you don't mind me asking, why did you leave so much space without drilling holes? Do you think your missing out on potential air flow?
 
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